COVENANTS SESSION 3
In the previous two sessions we have looked at the meaning of a covenant, the reasons for covenant, the types of covenants and examined what other men of God had to say about them. Briefly we examined the Threshold Covenant and the Salt Covenant. We discussed the covenant relationship between Jonathan and David and how Mephibosheth benefitted from their covenant. We must keep in mind Who originated the covenants, in doing this we find a covenant-making God, a covenant-keeping God, a covenant-revealing God and a covenant-enabling God. Watchman Nee said “And once God has made a covenant He thereafter is under its restriction.” And he said, “in making covenant with man God condescends Himself to be bound and restricted by an agreement. He is willing to forfeit His liberty in the covenant in order to facilitate our possessing what He wants us to possess.” Covenants are interrelated because the covenants of God to man are but portions of the whole covenant and each part of its progressive revelation. There is an interrelatedness between all of them since they are interwoven from beginning to end.
During this session we are going to look at two of the first covenants that the Lord God made. They are the Edenic Covenant and the Adamic Covenant. Some writers and theologians treat them as one under the name of the Adamic but a problem for me in that is the Edenic is before the fall of man and the other is after.
The Edenic Covenant in one sense, stands alone and unique, for it’s the only covenant involving man before the entrance of sin.
Genesis 1:26-30 (NLT) - 26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” 29 Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. 30 And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
The Edenic Covenant some four distinctions in it. They are:
It was made with Adam and Eve before the entrance of sin expressing God’s purpose in creation.
This was the first covenant on earth of the pre-existent everlasting covenant in heaven.
The fact that man was the recipient but not the originator of the first covenant illustrates God’s desire and purpose in that man be in covenantal relationship with Him.
There could be no relationship with God apart from covenant.
Genesis 2:16-17 (AMP) - 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.
Genesis 2:23-24 (NLT) - 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
Isaiah 45:18 (AMP) - 18 For thus says the Lord—Who created the heavens, God Himself, Who formed the earth and made it, Who established it and did not create it to be a worthless waste; He formed it to be inhabited—I am the Lord, and there is no one else.
The following is ten points of the Edenic Covenant that we will look at:
Adam and Eve were to be fruitful (not sterile)
They were to multiply and increase mankind
They were to populate the earth
They were to subdue the earth
They were to rule over all of God’s works (both physical and spiritual dominion)
They were to till the ground and care for the garden
They were to watch over the garden – to protect it
They were to eat freely of all herbs and fruits except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
They were to refrain from eating of the tree of the knowledge of god and evil
They were to fear the penalty of sin
The blessings and promises of the covenant were made available to man based on the terms of trusting obedience, or faith and obedience. Adam was given one condition to the covenant – DON’T PARTAKE OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.
In summary, we see this covenant as standing uniquely as the only covenant made with man before the entrance of sin. It declares God’s creative purpose for man including covenant relationship, character, dominion, fruitfulness and eternal life through obedience and faith. The fall of man demanded the revelation of the covenants of redemption to bring this covenant to fulfillment. The New Covenant made this possible because it restores man to all that was lost in the Edenic Covenant. Just as the children of Israel were to redeem the land one step at a time, so we are to redeem our lost covenant, one step at a time.
Romans 5:12-21 (NASB95) - 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NLT) - 26 “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 27 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.
28 But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.
Revelation 22:14 (NKJV) - 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
These verses lead us into the Adamic Covenant and the promises that it contains. Promises of blessings and promises of cursing. But in all this God never cursed man (the image of Himself).
Genesis 3:1-4 (NLT) - 1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.
Genesis 3:6-10 (NLT) - 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
I want you to note that the serpent had been occupying the Garden for man days, along with Adam and Eve. Nothing until now had arisen to change the original charge that God had given to Adam and Eve. However, the serpent allows Satan to inhabit it and chaos results. The serpent was the shrewdest (cleverest, craftiest, subtil) of all the animals that God had made and Adam had named. When he approached Eve with the question, according to their instructions to guard the Garden, she should have rebuked him and commanded him to stop. Adam and Eve had the authority, and power, to do the commandments of God yet they failed to utilize their God-given powers.
With that in mind, and with their failure to obey the Word of God, we enter into the area of the Adamic Covenant. This was the covenant that God made with Adam and Eve after the entrance of sin. This was God expressing his purpose in redeeming Adam and Eve, and us.
In viewing this we see several things take place. One is that Satan attacked the covenantal wording of God’s direction. He attacked the covenantal God and His covenantal man by attacking the language of the covenant. “One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). And then the woman added to the wording of the covenant by saying, “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” So Satan attacked by asking and Eve responded by adding to. We need to understand that we have no bearing on the way the Covenants of God are worded. We can’t add to nor take away from. It is simpler that way and we are released from the pressure of having to decide what it means, how it can be re-worded and whether, or not, the Lord meant it. He put it into a covenant, He means it and doesn’t mean for it to be tampered with.
Deuteronomy 4:2 (NLT) - 2 Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.
Proverbs 30:6 (NLT) - 6 Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.
Revelation 22:18-20 (NASB95) - 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
So we see that the serpent QUESTIONS the Word, the woman ADDS to the Word and then WEAKENS the Word, the serpent LIES AGAINST the Word, and finally, the serpent MISINTERPRETS the Word. He is still doing the same with us today. Think about how he attacks you and your faith. Before you were born again Satan never had you doubt that you were born-again, he didn’t have you examine your life and find fault with it and then tell you you weren’t saved. Now he has you questioning your salvation, your baptism in the Holy Spirit, your healing, your prosperity, etc. etc. etc. He has to get you doubting and misapplying the Word just as he did Eve. When you get a word from the Lord God saying you are healed, take it and run, don’t question it, nor add to it.
2 Corinthians 4:2 (AMP) - 2 We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man’s conscience.
This verse is an admonishment to us based upon Eve in the Garden.
Adam and Eve’s unbelief, and disobedience, broke their covenantal relationship with God and brought them under the curse of the covenant – “YOU SHALL SURELY DIE.”
Genesis 3:6-7 (NLT) - 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
1 Timothy 2:13-15 (NLT) - 13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.
Romans 5:12-21 (NLT) - 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.
14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. 20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 14:23 (AMP) - 23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].
Hosea 6:7 (AMP) - 7 But they, like [less-privileged] men and like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there have they dealt faithlessly and treacherously with Me.
The fall of man resulted in man’s covenantal relationship with God being broken, his character was corrupted by the entrance of sin, his dominion was lost and he, and his offspring, came under the dominion of sin and death.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49 (NLT) - 45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
Romans 5:12 (NLT) - 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
The stage was set for the revealing of the Adamic Covenant. God came in grace to fallen man seeking to restore him back to covenantal relationship. Hence, the Adamic Covenant is the beginning of the Covenants of Redemption. On the foundation of the Edenic Covenant the Adamic Covenant constitutes the most comprehensive prophecy that God ever gave to mankind, in that it encompasses all successive Covenants of Redemption.
The Adamic Covenant is the “seed” covenant to all the other covenants that follow. The promises of this covenant are terms of God’s purposes in redeeming man and judging Satan.
The Promises of Blessing contained in this covenant are:
The seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent
This Seed would crush, overpower and overcome Satan and all of the realm of his authority
The covenant involves the Chosen Seed, Jesus Christ, His ministry, the church and the eternal judgment of Satan and his kingdom
Joshua 10:24 (AMP) - 24 When they brought out those kings to Joshua, [he] called for all the Israelites and told the commanders of the men of war who went with him, Come, put your feet on the necks of these kings. And they came and put their feet on the [kings’] necks.
Psalms 60:12 (NASB95) - 12 Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.
Luke 10:19 (AMP) - 19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.
Romans 16:20 (AMP) - 20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you.
This Seed promise is progressively unfolded in the succeeding covenants and consummates in Christ and the church
The Promises of Curses in the covenant are:
The curse of God on the serpent and earth (God didn’t curse man who is made in His image)
The man and woman were affected by the curse and come under Divine judgment
The serpent is cursed
The devil is cursed
The judgment on the woman brings
Multiplied conception
Sorrow in child birth
Subservience to her husband (1 Timothy 2:13-15; 1 Corinthians 11:7-9)
The judgment on the man brings
Sweat, toil and sorrow in laboring with a cursed earth until his death
The curse on the earth
Bring forth thorns and thistles
Instead of bringing forth food for man, it would of its own accord hinder man’s efforts for food
The curse on the animal kingdom
Romans 8:20-22 indicates that the creatures of the earth wee affected by the fall of man and became wild and carnivorous
Romans 8:20-22 (AMP) - 20 For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it—[yet] with the hope
21 That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 We know that the whole creation [of irrational creatures] has been moaning together in the pains of labor until now.
Judgment of sin by death
As stated under the Edenic Covenant the wages of sin is death
Spiritual death
Romans 6:23 (NKJV) - 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV) - 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
1 Timothy 5:6 (AMP) - 6 Whereas she who lives in pleasure and self-gratification [giving herself up to luxury and self-indulgence] is dead even while she [still] lives.
Revelation 20:11-15 (NASB95) - 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Physical death
Eternal death
Judgment by expulsion from Eden which is the final act of judgment, this prevented them from partaking of the tree of life and living forever in an unredeemed state
